Mock Trial Team

In cooperation with the Maryland Judicial Conference and Maryland State Bar Association, the Citizenship Law-Related Education Program for the Schools of Maryland (CLREP) sponsors an annual high school Mock Trial Competition each academic year. Since it began in 1983, almost 50,000 students from most counties in Maryland have participated.

Most teams compete at least four times in local matches, as both prosecution/plaintiff and defense. By the time a team has reached the state competition, they have competed, on average, 10-12 times. Virtually all competitions are held in either District or Circuit Courts. The top four teams from Maryland advance to Annapolis for the semi-finals; the top two teams then advance to the state championship, held in the Courts of Appeals courtroom in Annapolis.

Objectives

To further understanding of the law, court procedures, and the legal system;

To increase proficiency in basic life skills such as listening, speaking, reading and reasoning

To promote better communication and cooperation between the high school community and legal profession

To heighten appreciation for academic studies as well as career consciousness of law-related professions